SEN Support Lead - Early Years Foundation Stage

Manor Fields Primary School, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 4LE

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  22 June 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  9 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £26,586.00 Annually (FTE) Includes London Fringe Allowance

SEN Support Lead - Early Years Foundation Stage job summary

SEN Support Lead - Early Years Foundation Stage

Hours: full-time Monday to Friday (08:15 - 15:45)

Contract: Permanent, term-time (44.6 paid weeks per year)

Actual Salary: From £22,740 per annum including London Fringe

Start: September 2026

Are you a passionate Early Years practitioner, ready to take the next step in your career and make a profound difference to children with additional needs?

At Manor Fields Primary School, we are proud of our inclusive, nurturing environment and are seeking an inspiring SEN Support Lead for EYFS to play a pivotal role within our highly skilled team.

You will be joining a warm, welcoming and extremely supportive Reception team, where collaboration, shared expertise and a genuine care for one another underpin everything we do. This is a team that works closely together, celebrates successes and supports each other to deliver the very best for every child.

Alongside this, we offer an exciting opportunity to work in partnership with our in-house Speech and Language Therapist, Specific Learning Difficulties teacher and three experienced SENCOs, ensuring exceptional provision for our youngest learners.

Why join us?

• A unique opportunity to shape and develop a brand-new dedicated SEN learning space within EYFS
• Work within a highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team
• Join a school that prioritises inclusion, wellbeing and high aspirations for every child
• Opportunities to lead, innovate and influence practice across the setting
• Be part of a friendly, dedicated and collaborative Reception team who value teamwork and mutual support

The Role

You will lead high-quality SEN support within our Early Years provision, working closely alongside Reception colleagues to ensure a consistent and nurturing approach for all children.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Plan, deliver and oversee targeted interventions such as sensory circuits, Attention Autism and WellComm (or similar programmes)
• Support children’s educational, social and developmental needs through personalised approaches
• Work collaboratively with the Reception team to create an environment where all children feel safe, valued and able to thrive
• Build strong partnerships with families and professionals to ensure a cohesive, child-centred approach
• Contribute to the ongoing development of inclusive, high-quality practice across EYFS

We’re looking for someone who:

• Ideally has Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant with SEN Specialism or equivalent qualification (or are working towards it)
• Has at least CACHE Level 3 Early Years Qualification (or equivalent) - this is essential
• Has proven experience in an Early Years setting
• Has a strong understanding of the EYFS framework and SEN Code of Practice
• Is confident in leading and delivering effective SEN interventions
• Values teamwork and enjoys working within a close-knit, supportive team
• Brings initiative, positivity and a calm, solution-focused approach
• Communicates effectively and builds strong relationships with children, colleagues and families
• Is committed to making a meaningful difference every day
• Is paediatric first aid qualified

We’re seeking a capable and enthusiastic SEN practitioner with a solid background in Early Years Provision.

You will be:

• A confident problem‑solver who works well under pressure and can prioritise effectively
• Well organised, self‑motivated, and able to take responsibility for your work
• A clear communicator with a positive, flexible attitude
• Able to handle sensitive information with high levels of confidentiality, particularly in relation to safeguarding

Other requirements:

• A strong commitment to safeguarding children and to the Trust’s values and vision

Focused on delivering Excellence for All, The Hertfordshire & Essex High School is part of an outstanding organisation providing a vibrant and welcoming working environment in a popular school and a first-rate experience for staff looking to develop their careers in education as well as putting staff wellbeing at its heart.

HEMAT is dedicated to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the school community.

A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is essential.

Should you have any queries about the post or should you have any difficulties submitting your application, please email: admin@hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk or call the school on 01279 654127.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment. Appointment to this post will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including satisfactory Criminal Records Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service and online checks.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Manor Fields Primary School

• School type: Academies, Does not apply, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 447 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Manor Fields Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/manor-fields-primary-school-bishop-s-stortford

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